For the first two minutes of Moonrise Kingdom, there is an intense focus on sound and then at the two-minute mark, a crescendo occurs with loud orchestral music. There is a narrative that explains the specific sections of the orchestra that are in the piece, “Noye's Fludde,” which was created by composer, Benjamin Britten. Set in the mid-1960's, it would seem as though the structure of the opening sequence is to showcase children, particularly a 12-year old girl named Suzy, and her three younger brothers. In addition to these kids, the film displays another individual, Sam, who is the same age as Suzy, who comes to attend what is a summer camp.
An interesting part of the opening sequence is that each particular part of the Noye's Fludde piece fits the scene. For example, the there is a brief scene where the three brothers are eating and the camera pans out to the other members of the family, with another crescendo happening with the instruments that are being narrated by Sam, seemingly. The focus is primarily on Suzy and her three brothers, who appear to be very introverted in their activities – with the brothers keeping to themselves, and Suzy, herself.
At each transition in the opening sequence, a loudening occurs. A crescendo also happens when the title is shown to the viewer. Perhaps, the use of Britten, who is a composer of children’s music in the film is meant to display the sensibilities that the film will reflect. The opening sequence is lighthearted for the most part, with each of the children going about their day-to-day lives, and activities. Suzy is by herself and the three brothers play and interact with each other. The music dims when the narrative emerges and then it picks up volume as the sequence progresses throughout the first four minutes. There are points within the four-minute opening sequence, where the scenes are repeated such as the three brothers playing and Suzy peering out into the setting, New England, through her binoculars. The diegesis is handled perfectly in terms of pacing as the viewer begins to learn about the introvertedness of the children in the opening sequence.
Works Cited
Moonrise Kingdom. Dir. Wes Anderson. Focus Features, 2012. Film.
